Original belfry
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The church has three bells which had fallen out of use by the second world war and were only chimed occasionally due to the condition of the frame and fittings. It is not known how old the fittings and frame were but these were removed in 1976 when the bell chamber was cleared for the installation of the secondhand bells bought from Hampton in Arden. Photographs of the rear of the church seem hard to find, so this shot of the interior showing the tower is a rare glimpse as to how the church looked. At the time of this image the bells may well have still be able to be rung full circle but it shows the interior as it was when the installation started.
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New electric lighting fitted circa 1930
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Fundraising 1975 - 77
One of many fund raisers - Coleshill Chronicle summer 1976
Recycled bottle top game
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Late summer 1977 - Coleshill Chronicle
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Hampton Bells being removed circa 1975
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The bells were removed and collected from Hampton in Arden by a lorry owned by Bert Swift who ran the local haulage company "Swiftways". It is interesting to note that the bells still retain their cannons and old headstocks at this point. They were paraded around the village at some point to aid the fund raising which may explain the loudspeaker attached to the lorry cab roof.
The bells were taken to Taylors who then machined off the canons and retuned the bells before fitment to a new steel frame and will have assembled the frame in their foundry before a kit form was delivered to St Giles for installation. This installation was supervised by the foundry but also had a lot of volunteer labour. This photo is circa 1975 taken in the late summer judging by the trees, dried grass and sunlight. Photo is likely to be credit of Jack Whalley. (from collection of Jill Whalley) |
Installation of the bells - Summer 1977
Click here to read a diary of restoration work written by Terry Waters during in the summer of 1977.
Old three and frame being removed |
New bells being installed |
Original slides taken by Colin Teal
Dedication of the Bells December 22nd 1977
Newpaper cutting from the Coleshill Chronicle December 30 1977 The bells were dedicated at a special service held on Thursday 22nd December 1977. The service was taken by Bishop Mark of Aston assisted by the Rev. Harold Sly Vicar of Hampton-in-Arden and Rev. Edwin Clarke of Nether Whitacre. The initial ringing for the dedication was completed by Gordon Lane, Geoff Webb and Maurice Edwards and others with general service ringing taking place after the service with refreshments served in the adjacent village school. |
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Ringing in the original downstairs chamber 1979
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A clip found in a home super 8mm cine film of Quentin Howell ringing the second bell down one cub scout parade sunday in 1979 certainly in the summer months. This is the only film of ringing downstairs that has so far been uncovered and is displayed here despite being silent and not that brilliant in quality. Film courtesy of Mrs M. Loydell.
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Cub Scout Visit 1987These pictures all dated here 20th November 1987 shows how well the frame and fittings have survived the first ten years after the installation. The tuning marks are still clearly visible but are no longer the bright freshly turned colour they were when first rehung.
The photos were taken on the occasion of a visit by 1st Nether Whitacre cub scout troup which was repeated on several occasions to aid recruitment as well as to raise awareness of the bellringing exercise. |
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Unusual View - Upstairs Room
These pictures all dated here 26th June 2014 show an unusual view of the upstairs ringing chamber which is not usually available. The scaffolding in the church was to facilitate the rewiring of the church.
